The is dead, long live the Porsche 911. The German automaker’s latest and greatest has taken to the Nürburgring where old marks have fallen hard. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S was sent through the Green Hell, where it promptly beat the time achieved by the prior 997 version by a whopping 13 seconds.
With a time of 7:40, the 2012 911 matches the mark set by the previous . If you happen to own a previous generation 911 GT3, we’ll pause here for a moment while you go out to smash something with a hammer.
Back? Great. You shouldn’t fret too much, because this just means the next-generation GT3 should be a land rocket capable of blistering the surface of the ‘Ring. guys, your numbers are still safe… for now.
The battle-tested and it’s time to bid farewell to the aging military vet.
In the Humvee’s place could step the L-ATV. The Wisconsin-built Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle is built by Oshkosh Defense. Powered by a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, the The L-ATV appears capable of traversing nearly any type of terrain.
The L-ATV is highly armored, can accept multiple armor configurations and has nearly unmatched off-road capabilities. Oshkosh’s proprietary TAK-4i independent suspension system offers an impressive 20 inches of suspension travel at each wheel, which Oshkosh says is 25 percent more than any vehicle currently in use by the U.S. military.
While drivers of the L-ATV probably have more pressing issues to consider than the vehicle’s carbon emissions, they no doubt don’t want to be stranded by a vehicle that runs out of fuel deep in enemy territory. That’s one reason why the L-ATV’s diesel hybrid powertrain make sense (). So, as the aging Humvee retires from active duty, do you think it will be the diesel hybrid L-ATV that takes over?
has officially shown off its latest , and . Droptop fans are still waiting on their own version of the 991, and our spy photographers have just managed to capture a few images of the upcoming convertible. The 2012 Porsche 911Cabriolet should arrive on the auto show circuit in the next few months before it heads to your local dealership.
You can expect to find the same 3.4- and 3.6-liter flat-six engines tucked in the back as seen in the hardtop Carrera and Carrera S. Each will be paired with the PDK double-clutch or the all-new seven-speed manual gearbox. Whichever engine and transmission you decide to go with, expect to pay around $90k-100k for the privilege.
Targa Newfoundland, Hyundai Veloster, the last Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Episode #248 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week Chris, Zach, Dan and Chris Paukert talk about the Targa Newfoundland, Hyundai Veloster, the final Ford Crown Victoria, and the Chevrolet Caprice PPV. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our , thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #248:
Chevrolet Caprice PPV
In the Autoblog Garage
2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD
2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec
Hosts: , , , Runtime: 01:28:04
Get the podcast
[] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our
History lesson, folks. Those of you familiar with the classic Jensen Interceptor from the 1960s and 1970s can completely skip this introductory paragraph. For the rest of you, the Interceptor was a two-door GT Coupe (or convertible or hatchback) built by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976 in the UK. Powered by a V8 ranging from 383 to 440 cubic inches (some even equipped with the famous Six Pack trio of two-barrel carburetors, and a handful of FF models included all-wheel drive), the Interceptor married a muscular drivetrain with bespoke, hand-built coachwork.
Suffice it to say, like many British enthusiasts, we have a very soft spot in our hearts for the original Jensen Interceptor, so when we heard that , the company that already bought and is , was working on a revival, our interest was piqued. The company is being contracted by Healey Sports Cars of Switzerland (another classic British marque), which apparently holds the rights to the Jensen name.
CPP says the car will be developed in Coventry and built at a starting in 2014. There’s no word on what will power the revived Jensen, but anything short of Chryser’s 392 Hemi that powers the latest SRT8 models would be a bit of a disappointment. CPP promises to show the car off by late 2012, which is still a far way off, so here’s hoping everything moves forward smoothly. Check out the rather fetching official renderings in our gallery and the press release .
Chrysler’s latest commercial for the new looks to tout the automaker’s new eight-speed automatic transmission for 2012, which offers up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway when paired with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. That’s commendable mileage for a large, rear-wheel-drive sedan, and deserves credit for making it happen.
The Detroit-based automaker is also still pushing its “” tagline, which we like, and, as ever, has honed in on the community aspect by driving the 300 through downtown Detroit and through the suburbs to what appears to be a very nice home somewhere near the city. It’s all pretty effective, we think, but there is one glaring issue with the commercial for those paying close attention.
The car pictured in all the driving shots is actually a 2012 Chrysler 300C (as mentioned in the disclaimers), which still comes with a five-speed automatic connected to the much-lauded Hemi V8 engine. There’s a quick flash to the new shifter that connects the driver to the eight-speeder, but that’s clearly not in the same car we see elsewhere in the ad. We don’t really understand why Chrysler made that decision, as all the goodies you’d want to show off can indeed be had with the V6 model, but maybe that’s why we’re writers and not marketers.
In any case, check out the latest video in Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit” series .
The return of the Audi Allroad is nigh… possibly! Rumors have been swirling like camouflage that . Our spy photographers spotted a camo-covered Allroad undergoing hot weather testing in Southern Europe, but the up-rated wagon underneath these swirls is an A6 Avant.
Is getting ready to bring out a variety of Allroads? It’s possible, and we’d happily welcome both an A4 and A6 Allroad with open arms. Of course, we know how this story plays out here in the States. While we may see one of the two Allroad variants, it’s unlikely that both will wind up in U.S. dealer showrooms. Time will tell.
Like a kid forever awaiting the presence of his deadbeat dad at his birthday party, we’ve been promised the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States so many times that we’ve stopped feeling disappointed when it is invariably “postponed” again. But that numbness isn’t shared by dealers across the country. Many of them are reportedly and understandably upset at the of the brand’s reintroduction to America.
Although the lion’s share of the 102 Fiat dealers that have sprung up across the country (and 28 more to come by year end) have grown out of existing franchises, all have had to invest significantly in bringing Fiats to their showrooms. And while the range has been selling well, it’s the only model they have to offer. Though no explicit promises were made, many of these dealers were counting on receiving Alfa Romeo to fill their new showrooms.
Instead, the relaunch of the stoic marque has been delayed again. When it does finally arrive, the MiTo hatchback is set to lead the charge together with the 4C sportscar, followed by the Giulietta five-door hatch. The Giulia is set to replace the 159, not next year as originally planned, but in 2014. And while plans for a -based SUV have reportedly been scrapped, a new sedan is said to be in the works to succeed the long-gone 166 and share its platform with the next . For our part, we won’t be holding our breath any longer before we just blow out the candles and get on with things.
has a rich heritage when it comes to camper vans. But while the German automaker may only offer the -built in North America, overseas, it tends to that heritage quite closely, and for its latest model, Wolfsburg has partnered with outdoor outfitter for the special edition you see here.
Spun off the Transporter’s line (which somewhat ironically isn’t offered in its namesake or any other state in the union), the Berghaus edition packs all the regular features of the standard model and upgrades with some unique touches. That means four seats, an electrically-operated pop-up roof, onboard kitchen and folding dinette. What distinguishes the Berghaus edition, however, is its long list of extra equipment, including a bike rack, folding awning, 18-inch alloys and special badging both inside and out.
It also comes with a special rucksack, a pair of sleeping bags, gloves, hats, mugs, water bottle, flask and more. All that kit is driven by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel and six-speed manual transmission with ABS, traction control, engine braking and stability management. Only 80 examples will be offered in the UK (no word on further distribution in other markets), and you can scope out the full details in the press release .
teams up with Berghaus on special edition California camper van
We’re almost ready to record Episode #248 of the Autoblog Podcast. Check out the topics below and you can join us live via , as well. Thanks for listening!
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #247
We record Episode #248 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast if you haven’t already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #248
[] Interact LIVE at UStream – 10PM Eastern on Monday, September 5, 2011
[] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
is hard at work reinventing its design language, and those who’ve had an early look say we’re all in for a surprise. wants to reinvent its luxury arm into just that, . One of the steps required to make this transformation is to incorporate premium style into the existing lineup of products. Our spy photographers caught a camo-clad running undergoing testing, and the new design language is hidden under the automotive hefty bags.
We can’t see much of what’s going on, but we know Lincoln plans to make its products markedly different from its Ford cousins. Everything from the instrument panel and switch gear to the headlamps and sheetmetal creases will scream Lincoln. And it sounds like it will do so in a manner that’s quite pleasing to the eyes.
Besides the new look, Lincoln will step to the luxury plate with new powertrains that provide power while also returning improved fuel economy
is there to make extreme supercars. That’s what it’s always done and that’s what it always will do. But even for the Raging Bull marque, some of its supercars have been more extreme than others. It broke new ground when it produced the , and then followed up with the Reventón Roadster, giving those with the scratch on hand a chance at owning a machine even more exclusive than the company’s “standard” offerings.
Sant’Agata is preparing to tap back into that customer base with the Sesto Elemento, a -sized concept car that is set to enter limited production as an exclusive track toy for those with the means. But will Lamborghini stop going down this road when all 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento are signed, sealed and delivered? Hardly.
According to the latest reports from the Old World, the Reventon and Sesto Elemento are destined to go down in history as the first in a long line of million-dollar exotics from the Bolognese automaker.
So what will the next billionaire’s Lambo entail? Far too early to say, but according to reports citing CEO Stephan Winkelmann, don’t expect it to follow the same extreme-lightweight approach as the Sesto Elemento, as improving on that formula would be too much even for Lamborghini. Given that a good three years separated the debut of the Reventón from the debut of the Sesto Elemento last year, it’ll be 2013 at the earliest before we have any idea.
was once an automaker known for its two-door sportscars and coupes. There was the Celica. There was the Supra. There was the Lexus SC. But while those have all long since departed, the Japanese auto giant is clawing its way back to the territory it once owned.
The is one heck of a first salvo, and the FT-86 is around the corner. There’s a world of space between those models, though, and according to the latest reports, Toyota is planning to fill that space, too.
Rumor has it that, while not officially sanctioned, a team of engineers is working on a rear-drive successor to the , though where the project stands and what future it may have remain big question marks. A second front-drive luxury hybridcoupe is also tipped to be in the works from , adopting much of its underpinnings from the .
Before those arrive, though, we look upwards to the LFA. The convertible version has reportedly been postponed if not axed entirely, but word has it that a special edition is to be presented at and named for the . The model would reportedly be distinguished by bare carbon-fiber panels for the roof and spoiler and a significant price premium over the stock model.
Some of the faithful are up in arms over the automaker’s decision to go with a rear-wheel-drive setup for . Why did the engineers opt to send power out back when they could have utilized the company’s signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system? You would expect the answer to lie firmly on the backs of , which is the other half of this joint venture. , and according to them, that’s not exactly the case.
Toyota has been adamant that a rear-wheel drive sports car was to be the ultimate product of this sports coupe joint-venture. More surprisingly, Subaru officials say they were interested in creating just such a vehicle from the very beginning. To hear them tell it, they aren’t just all-wheel drive experts. Subaru produces front-wheel drive vehicles for markets outside of the States, and rear-wheel drive allows them to show off just how far Subaru engineers can push handling and traction levels regardless of which wheels drive the car.
Be it the front wheels, rear wheels or all four wheels, Subaru engineers are clearly eager to prove that they’re accomplished at making grippy cars. So… do you buy the explanation, or do you think it’s just spin? More importantly, do you think a RWD Subaru is a good idea? Have your say in Comments.
We spy, with the lens of our spy guy, a rather unique that’s taken to the track. Spotted lapping Germany’s Nürburgring, this particular LS is wearing puffed-out fenders, a strongly styled decklid spoiler, what appears to be a faux nose hiding new bodywork, deep side skirts and a pair of vents on the hood. Something sporty is afoot, and we’re itching to know more.
Toyota is clearly testing a super sporty version of its flagship luxury sedan. What’s not clear, however, is what exactly is going on underneath the bodywork. We do know that this is work of the automaker, and not an aftermarket tuner testing some new performance parts out. The license tags on the car are from Cologne, and the car was spotted at the automaker’s garage nearby.
Could we be staring at a Lexus LS F in disguise? The automaker has , and this luxury sedan is certainly wearing some athletic upgrades. Funny, we thought for sure that a variant of the was going to be next in line to get the F Sport treatment. Could this just be a one-off piece for the or , or is it indicative of something more?
Final amusing note: The wheelman at the helm of this mystery “LS F’ must be new to the ‘Ring – that giant “L” on the rear window indicates he’s a Learner.
To hear John Krafcik tell it, the is just another . Allow us to rephrase that. According to the company’s North American CEO, the searing Vitamin C orange coupe shown here is something we should’ve seen coming, the predictable end result of the relentless innovators at his Korean employer.
Yet to be fair, even now, “innovation” isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Hyundai. But perhaps it should be. After all, this is the same company that’s led the way with radical customer relations plans like Hyundai Assurance (income loss payment coverage and buy-back, guaranteed trade-in values, etc.) and brash products like the 2011 , which passed on cylinders five and six in favor of forced induction – to say nothing of its and brave aesthetics. From marketing to product, Hyundai has rather quietly built a solid case for itself as an innovator.
And yet… even though we knew it was coming, we still weren’t prepared for the Veloster. Aggressive family sedan styling aside, we haven’t seen Hyundai allow its design team to so comprehensively stretch its creative legs as we have in this little four-door coupe. Did we say four-door? Indeed we did. Following hatchback naming conventions of three- and five-door bodystyles, this tangerine bolide is actually a four-door. It’s got a conventional, longish driver’s side door and a traditional lift-up hatchback. But stroll over to the passenger’s side, and things get deeply funky – there’s a second aperture behind a subtly shorter front door. We’ve seen similar setups like this in the past, a rear-hinged demi-door to ease access to a tight back seat, but this isn’t a suicide solution. The Veloster employs a normal front-hinged rear door, albeit one with the handle hiding in the gloss black C-pillar.
Over the course of his nine seasons on the Formula One grid, Kimi Raikkonen only drove for a handful of teams, making his debut with Sauber before switching to McLaren in only his second season, then to after five seasons for another three more that included his solitary World Championship. But since his departure two years ago, the Finnish driver has been linked to more teams than he ever drove for in the first place.
Rumors have had him plotting his return with Renault, Red Bull, , and even a test role with Pirelli. All this in addition to competing in the World Rally Championship, NASCAR, and potentially at Le Mans, making the 2007 World Champion arguably the most versatile – and enigmatic – pro driver in the world. But while previous negotiations have apparently all failed (or failed to satisfy his conditions) they’re not about to die. At least the rumors won’t.
The latest reports place Raikkonen at Williams, the team reportedly confirming that it recently hosted the former champ at its headquarters in Grove, England. Of course, that doesn’t mean that Kimi has signed with the once-great team, but we can’t imagine him sightseeing in the British midlands without purpose, either.
It’s no great secret that Williams – wielder of seven Drivers’ Titles, nine Constructors’ Championships and 113 grand prix victories – is very far from its glory days, but with a new engine supply deal with Renault and an injection of fresh management and cash, there’s no telling how quickly the team could find its pace once again. Especially with a proven talent like Raikkonen behind the wheel.
CEO Dieter Zetsche is being investigated for involuntary manslaughter after a 27-year-old engineer was killed in a test track accident caused by an intern. Apparently, the intern somehow wound up with the keys to an unspecified fast car, and things turned sour.
Daimler says the investigation is a “formality,” and that a judge has already decided that Daimler can’t be held liable. The investigation came after the parents of the dead engineer said that had no business putting an intern behind the wheel.
While airbags can be a major safety asset in the event of an accident, crashtest data and real-world incidents have shown that front airbags can actually be dangerous for younger, lighter children. Many newer vehicles now have sensors that turn off the front passenger airbag when the occupant doesn’t meet weight requirements, but the sensor may not work in some 2007 and 2008 models.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced the recall of 10,631 Kia Sorento models built between June 15, 2006 and November 27, 2007. At issue is an Occupant Classification System that may incorrectly classify adults as children. When that happens, the “passenger air bag off” light will illuminate, and the airbag won’t go off in the event of an accident.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by Kia and instructed to head to a nearby dealership for a free repair. To fix the issue, a technician will update the programming of the OCS controller. to read over NHTSA press release.
